Welcome to God's Lemonade Stand

It is my hope that by reading this daily you will grow in your walk with Christ and be set free from any struggles in your life that are weighing you down. Be blessed to be a blessing.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

UNLOAD THAT BURDEN

Are you carrying around a thought, a mental load, cares and worries, reasoning, and things you can do nothing about? Mulling over situations does nothing to profit you nor does it change things. We fabricate things in our mind and wonder about outcomes and this does no good as well. This is why we need to focus on good things and train and discipline our mind to let go of junk we can not do anything about and concentrate on what is good and worthy. The mind is a battlefield where thoughts can cause us to be victorious or trip us up and keep us defeated. Thoughts can lift you up or tear you down. They can bring happiness or gloom. Your outlook on life has to be positive to keep your thoughts uplifted. When you get up each day to 'seize the day', consciously make yourself have good thoughts and not dwell on concerns or negatives. There was a movie out where one of the characters said to 'think happy thoughts'. That is good advice.

Philippians 4:8 says " Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. " Things we think about and things we say are two areas where not enough can be written about them. Words and thoughts can make us or break us. The enemy, Satan, wants you to sit and fret and ponder as it takes your focus off God. John 10:10 says that "the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy" and that is exactly what his mission is. To steal your joy, kill your dreams and happiness and destroy you as a person. God is not the originator of worry. 1 Peter 5:7 says to "Cast all your care on him for he cares for you."

If you are having difficulty thinking on 'things above' then might I suggest get your Bible and open it to Psalms and start reading. Soon your mind will be focused on Christ and not stuff down here on earth you can not do anything about. 1 Corinthians 14:33 says "God is not the author of confusion". Are you confused, mixed up,trying to figure things out in your head? Give these things to God before it causes you undue anguish and mental torment.

Persevere, stay encouraged, hang in there and run your race to win. Keep focused on God and his glory and let him take your burdens and let the joy of the Lord be your strength and carry you through. I love to run so it is a good word picture what it says in Hebrews 12:1-2 and that is "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Be blessed today and be a blessing.

PRAYER: Lord God I thank you that you do not want us to fret over things we have no control over. Forgive me for the times I have done this and taken my mind off you and your word. I want to be conformed to your image Lord in the things I say and do. Help me stay on the path you have set for me to walk. Give me the ability to let go of past problems or future concerns and live for today. In Jesus Name. Amen.

About Me

Army veteran,been writing since I was 15.Love life.Love God. Married to retired Army officer since 1977. 2 grown sons and an awesome daughter in law! Member and/or leader in Moms In Prayer International Prayer ministry since 1996. Furloughed from Delta Air Lines in 2008.BA Social Work/MS Agency Counseling.Quill & Scroll member in High School.Attended Ohio University High School Journalism Workshop. Accepted Christ 19 March 1975. Attended the 2009 and 2010 Kentucky Christian Writers Conferences and the 2010 & 2012 AZ Courage To Write Retreat.Attended writers event in 2009 at Calhoun Community College(AL). Have written articles on Helium website. Participant on Presidential Prayer Team site on two occasions giving input on Prayer walking. Native of Cincinnati, Ohio. Biggest thrill was getting in Readers Digest April 99 Life in These United States.Biggest writing blessing was writing for 6 months for Madison Spirit section of Huntsville Times in 2002.Devotion appears in the Eastern Kentucky Voice since July 2013 and Madison(AL) Weekly since April 2016. Contributing Writer to Hopelifter Creative Ways to Spread Hope When Life Hurts released 6 Aug 13 by Zondervan.Motto is Write On!